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Author
Topic: Regan Hofmann in the NY POST (Read 24157 times)

There's an excellent and inspiring piece by Regan Hofmann in the NY POST. There's also a great picture of her. She has a memoir coming out called "I Have Something To Tell You"

She ROCKS!@

HIV fighter lives to tell tale

Ex-prep-school gal sheds stigma

Regan Hofmann, 42, grew up in Princeton, NJ, attended private high school and rode thoroughbred horses while hiding a deep secret for nearly a decade: that she was HIV-positive. After 10 years of silence, she disclosed her HIV status to the world when she became the editor in chief of POZ, a magazine for people with HIV/ AIDS. With her memoir "I Have Something To Tell You" hitting shelves Sept. 22, she tells her story to The Post.

Thirteen years ago, I sat in my doctor's office, wiggling comfortably in a La- Z-Boy massage chair, drinking a Diet Coke and watching Jerry Springer on TV. I had gone to my doctor after noticing a swollen lymph gland in the groove where my leg meets my body. He'd taken my blood and tested me for a litany of things, including HIV/AIDS. I'd been tested before and had no reason to worry (or so I thought).

A week later, the doctor called me back in. At his office, they asked me to wait in my doctor's private quarters, as he was running late.

I was jiggling in the recliner feeling relieved that my life was so much calmer than that of Jerry Springer's guests when a squadron of people in white lab coats burst in. Looking at their frowning faces, I knew something was terribly wrong. Suddenly, I was in my own Jerry Springer-esque moment.

But the last thing I expected was to hear my doctor say, "I don't know how to tell you this, so I'm just going to tell you. Your blood work shows that you are HIV-positive."

OK, I'm going to go out on a limb here with the elitist charge, a charge I never care for myself because I'm like the #1 Elitist in the world. Like Miss Hofmann, I grew up in a wealthy area with the horsey set and just something I can't really help, even if now I can't sit in a saddle very long because I have no fat on my ass. Sure, it sounds a bit much at the beginning of the NY Post article to go on about the private schools and Princeton stuff, but I think the point of it is to emphasize this background to show the reader that it's just not saucy homosexual degenerates and drug addict catch teh AIDS. Of course, it sucks that the situation has to be like that but anyway that's my take on it.

I agree with you Miss P. It just happens to be her background so she is being described that way. It's not her fault that she comes from a well-to-do family etc.

And to all of those out there who equate HIV with the "degenerate faggots-slut-whore-drug addicts"* it's nice that there's someone like her representin' another face of HIV/AIDS

*Not that there's anything wrong with "degenerate faggots-slut-whore-drug addicts" catching teh AIDS but you know how some people are, it's not till they see "one of their own" that they take any notice.

And to all of those out there who equate HIV with the faggot-degenerate-slut-whore-drug addicts it's nice that there's someone like her representin' another face of HIV/AIDS

I hope neither you nor anyone else think I believe the above long definition fallacy of the "face of HIV/AIDS." The reason I made the charge of her being an elitist snob is because of things I've heard about her from a couple other people on these forums who've had personal experience with her. Easy to go in front of a camera and be a total princess, mind, body and soul, isn't it.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

why a squadron to announce HIV+ status? Is that the way it was 13 years ago?

Well, I know it wasn't that way for me 24 years ago. Maybe Regan could afford a squadron. At the Pinellas County, Fl Health Dept, ( which isn't a fancy place, by any means) It was a woman with an accent that said " you are hiv positive" . The next thing I knew, I was told to exit the building through the rear door, and not go out through the entrance I came in. Hmmm. If I could live that moment over.

I picked up the book on Tuesday and didn't put it down until I finished it. Could have been anyone of us on those pages. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and still today people I come in contact with are clueless about HIV. Believe me I overheard a conversation yesterday that floored me, A mother of 2 teenage girls was talking about a guy who was sentenced to life in prison for infecting over 20 women with HIV. Her take was that everyone with the disease doesn't care and they just sleep around and spread it around. It is naive thinking like this that keeps the stigma alive. As Ms. Hofmann says in her book "HIV is an equal opportunity offender" I recommend everyone read it and pass it on......

I hope neither you nor anyone else think I believe the above long definition fallacy of the "face of HIV/AIDS." The reason I made the charge of her being an elitist snob is because of things I've heard about her from a couple other people on these forums who've had personal experience with her. Easy to go in front of a camera and be a total princess, mind, body and soul, isn't it.

So in other words you form your opinions on someone based on what someone else tells you? The way you came off in your first post I figured you knew her or something. Just curious, how did these "other" peoples experience affect you exactly?

Well, I know it wasn't that way for me 24 years ago. Maybe Regan could afford a squadron. At the Pinellas County, Fl Health Dept, ( which isn't a fancy place, by any means) It was a woman with an accent that said " you are hiv positive" . The next thing I knew, I was told to exit the building through the rear door, and not go out through the entrance I came in. Hmmm. If I could live that moment over.

Ray

LOL!!! Ray that's exactly how i was handled too!!! LMAO.. the girl told me to go through this door, I figured there was going to be some counselors waiting for me back there. When I opened the door I was really surprised to see the lot full of cars in the back of the building and the sun shining on my face.

So in other words you form your opinions on someone based on what someone else tells you? The way you came off in your first post I figured you knew her or something. Just curious, how did these "other" peoples experience affect you exactly?

The "other people" happen to be very good friends of mine, and I trust their opinions 100%. How it effects me? It means I won't be buying her book. As far as effecting me any other way, none really. It's neither good nor bad. In other words, I could care less.

By the way, about her being from a wealthy family. I have to admit, I'm immediately suspicious of the affluent. From past experience, they're the worst criminals I've had exposure to. Well, other than Ms. P. (hee).

« Last Edit: September 25, 2009, 06:39:41 PM by BT65 »

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

I picked up the book on Tuesday and didn't put it down until I finished it. Could have been anyone of us on those pages. I was diagnosed 14 years ago and still today people I come in contact with are clueless about HIV. Believe me I overheard a conversation yesterday that floored me, A mother of 2 teenage girls was talking about a guy who was sentenced to life in prison for infecting over 20 women with HIV. Her take was that everyone with the disease doesn't care and they just sleep around and spread it around. It is naive thinking like this that keeps the stigma alive. As Ms. Hofmann says in her book "HIV is an equal opportunity offender" I recommend everyone read it and pass it on......

Hello Hunnybee65,

It's a tad unusual that your very first post is in this particular thread, but even more unusual that you picked the book up on its first day on the shelves. How did you hear about it? I see you're from NYC, perhaps you read about it in the NYTimes.

If you've been positive for 14 years you've never needed to show up and talk with any of us until today? Something doesn't square with me on the veracity of your post. I would love to be wrong in my e-gut reaction. But, anonymity affords such posts and their posters no challenges that ultimately reveal proof or negation.

The other thing I find unusual is how the book is being marketed (via this forum and a blog) to HIV positive people (in any way in which that occurs, whether directly, indirectly, or via someone akin to a shill in a comedy club). This is a population the members of which could each write a compelling and unique story of their journey with HIV. Every positive person knows about stigma-- lays it on his or herself or fears it from others, or both.

The author of the book asserts she is hopeful to bust HIV-related stigma, therefore, I submit that all marketing might be better directed to those who are not members of the diseased choir receiving the preached pitch. And, talk about reality, the price of the book for many among us buys essential groceries, or pays down a utility, or, or, or--buys cigs or booze or reefer.

I want everyone to have successes, but when it comes to HIV, I care greatly about the least among us having some successes---those who don't have fresh water, don't have enough food, don't have access to meds, don't have parents, don't have anything resembling a chance, a foothold--they move me, deeply.

If I were to set aside the money for the book, I know I would be doing more good with the money by taking it to the poorest mom in my immediate neighborhood. I hope Regan is successful in breaking down stigma barriers by way of her book. It will supplement and perhaps augment the efforts all of us have put into the human funnel by educating our family, friends, naive teens, potential dates and lovers by taking the time to disclose, discuss and discover.

One person, one book, one website, one group of similarly afflicted people--- none of it is enough to stem the stigma tide, but collectively and diversely, we stand a shot -- oh yes, plus that wonderful travel ban being lifted would go a long way to smash stigma. I do hope Obama's staff maximizes the PR value present in that long overdue event.

Regan's book will find its audience. Aside from the right spending component of my near-term decision not to run to Barnes and Noble or Borders, I have too many projects in the cue and a slew of books that have been sitting for years waiting to be read. And, the same is true of my movie-watching. I am consistently behind in these areas.

I'd wager she didn't have a squadron of people and is saying that for theatrical effect and also to create her importance. Or maybe to FAKE membership in an elite class to which she aspires but does not belong.Often the worst snobs and elitists are wanna-bes.

Maybe she's a middle class or upper middle class girl who longed (longs) for the Main Line or Park Avenue. Poser, peutetre?

That said, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. I've worked with many many snobs and elitists of grand guignol exaggeration, and usually those traits don't overwhelm good traits. Occassionally yes, but often you can step back, see it as a character flaw, and appreciate other contributions the snob is making.

Also ambition can be mistaken for snobbery, or go together. Also genuine class differences exist in how people see things and communicate and relate to each other, and sometimes are mistaken for snobbery.

No one loves a snob but they're not necessarily worthless members of society. Jackie Kennedy and her Bouvier family were horrible snobs and social climbers and money obsessed, and people admire certain aspects of the way she handled her public duties.

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“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Until someone comes here and says that Regan is a friend of theirs and gives some credible takes on her personality I will chalk it up to just plain ole jealousy and envy. So what she glammed herself up for the pics... so what she rides horses with labcoats on. Big deal... I don't want to read her book solely because I already know its content.

I don't care if she's a snob or thinks she Miss USA... I can reserve the right to not like someone just because I can. I don't care for her at all.... But it's just because...

Who would name their daughter after a President anyways.... Damn Republicans!

I'm going back to the stupid thread in off topic now and see if I can understand what they are talking about.

Oh trust me, it's neither jealousy nor envy. And I didn't read one iota of the article, or the book, so I really have no idea what her background is, other than what people are saying.

I can talk along with some pretty good snobs. But, it's only because I went on and got an education. And I have a lot of friends who have good higher educations. I came from a working class family, and not high-working-class either. But, I have some friends who are very much higher class. But, I know their sincerity to help other people who aren't. And not just to pay lip service to it either.

The day I can't trust a very good friend's word about something due to the friend's personal experience, well, I guess I'll be a very lonely person, won't I. But, I guess it's easy to throw around assumptions about people one doesn't even know, isn't it Skeebo.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

The day I can't trust a very good friend's word about something due to the friend's personal experience, well, I guess I'll be a very lonely person, won't I. But, I guess it's easy to throw around assumptions about people one doesn't even know, isn't it Skeebo.

Are you asking me in the sense by saying that I have? Of course Betty, I think we all are guilty of it. Personally I can't stand people who ride horses while being chased by doctors in white labcoats. It's just a personal thing I can't explain.

Wasn't attacking you by the way... just asking you a question was all. I still think she should change her name.

Hate to admit it, but she hides her evilness extremely well. I figured she would have a fake British accent and stuff... You know kind of like Madonna's accent... Meagan sounds all valley girl like.. and the way she strokes them horses sends shivers down my mane.. I mean spine.

Perhaps it is a good book, I don't know, because I won't be reading it. She's never spoken one word to me in the forums (or anyone else that I know of, exluding a very brief "introductory post")...someone correct me if I'm wrong here.... I tend to agree with Em's gut e-feeling about the hunnybee post....

All I can say is good luck with it....but it's not on my top 10 "must read" book list.

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

She likens the horses to prozac. Holy crap, so I could be saving a ton of money eating horse poop and I can look just like Ronnie... I mean Reagan. What a waste of hair, she should have locks.

Skeebo, that's why I have my Alpacas and goats, they so make me forget I have HIV, even when I take my meds I'm only thinking of my little farm animals and wondering if they are up and around prancing among the daffs in my little fantasy..oops, piece of heaven...and I too live just to get up and feed them every morning, I live with fairies too, did you know that..

I seriously doubt that MISS R.Hoffman will care a toss about what we think or feel about her, if you were making money writing a book would you?..I don't care one way or the other to be honest with you, I won't be buying the book anyway.

The next thing I knew, I was told to exit the building through the rear door, and not go out through the entrance I came in. Hmmm. If I could live that moment over.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but did want to address the dissatisfaction that Ray and Skeebo expressed regarding having been directed to exit the clinic building through the rear door. I wasn't there, obviously, so I can't comment on the specifics of those places, but I do know that at some clinics, EVERYBODY who comes in to receive test results is asked to exit through a door other than one that leads back to the waiting room where others are sitting. The "please exit through this door" rule is used so (a) those who are obviously distressed, crying, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room and (b) those who are obviously relieved, smiling, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room. (I'm sure those receiving negative test results don't even notice that they're going out a different door -- they're just happy to go!)

I realize that when one gets this diagnosis, negative feelings well up and sometimes the responses of those providing the diagnosis are mis-read. Again, I wasn't there, so I can't directly comment on your particular situations, just wanted to share what I know to be the standard operating procedure in other similar places.

The "please exit through this door" rule is used so (a) those who are obviously distressed, crying, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room and (b) those who are obviously relieved, smiling, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room. (I'm sure those receiving negative test results don't even notice that they're going out a different door -- they're just happy to go!)

Be well.

Hello Sid,

Well, I can tell you, that I was not distressed. I was very much in self control, and was calm. I was not crying or hysterical. Once again, very much in control.

As I also stated, this same policy is not done this way today. I have taken several people to this same Health dept for their HIV test, Many years after I tested positive, And we went out the same door we came in. They tested positive. So the times have apparently changed. I suppose some plan must be in place , in case someone gets emotional.

And as Tom stated. There was no counseling offered, just a couple of pamphlets offered. although today, it has improved quite a lot.

It was as if they wanted me off the premise. This was 1985. A much different time. In a small community. ( Clearwater, Florida)

Anyway, when I go to my doctors office, I don't go out the back door, when I leave. I don't even think there is a back door, except for emergency fire exit.

Take care----Ray

EDITED TO ADD: I still feel , as though I was being treated , like Toxic garbage, to be told to leave the building this way.

Somehow this strikes me as the rich just getting richer. While I always support anything that will diminish the stigma of HIV, I just don't see this book doing much of anything. She has not risked anything to write the book, no fear of loss of job, living quarters or worse. Just a rich woman using her contacts to ride her infection to a really fat paycheck. I'd be impressed if all the proceeds were going to an AIDS organization, but they aren't, so who really stands to benefit from this book? I also believe that her shilling her book, in a HIV blog no less, is just crass commercialism.

Lastly, if she is so interested in marketing her book to our community here, how is it that she has never posted a thread here, other than an introductory thread, which was probably a requirement of her new job. Personally, I am disappointed that she is the face of HIV that POZ Magazine presents, as she does not even remotely resemble the true face of HIV, as most of us know. It smacks to me of just another opportunist making a buck on the back of pozzies. I really expected better. I really did.

The "please exit through this door" rule is used so (a) those who are obviously distressed, crying, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room and (b) those who are obviously relieved, smiling, etc. are not inadvertently "outed" to the others in the waiting room. (I'm sure those receiving negative test results don't even notice that they're going out a different door -- they're just happy to go!)

Hey Sid,

I understand your point, however it wasn't just being pointed to the rear exit that irked me. I was given no information on what to do next. Yeah I know I'm a big boy and everything, but these people do this as their job and I view not having information on something your being paid to do as being inept at your job, especially one that may lead to an extremely delicate situation as telling someone their new diagnosis. Don't tell me I am going to die if you don't know for sure I am .... and I especially don't want to hear how you just lost two friends and one of them was only infected for 6 months. Still for the life of me can't imagine what she was thinking....

I seriously thought she was leading me to a door to talk to someone. Hell my best friend and his wife were still in the waiting room. I had to walk all the way around to the front and go back inside to get them.

Regan was very kind and encouraging to me during the process of writing an article that was originally supposed to be an online feature on poz.com and ended up being printed in POZ.

Perhaps writing and publishing a book is something she always wanted to do and finally has a platform with which to do it, but whatever the motivation I applaud her for doing it. True, anyone here could write a book, but has anyone? Regan has made her career in print, and this is another accomplishment for her. I have a degree in journalism, but it's not my career because I realized about the time I graduated that I didn't want to be in such a cutthroat field.

I don't see this endeavor as causing any harm other than the ill feelings expressed in this thread, and if it garners the attention of some of her retractors, professional or not, more the better. If it inspires affluently-raised people to get tested, even better yet.

Skeebo, that's why I have my Alpacas and goats, they so make me forget I have HIV, even when I take my meds I'm only thinking of my little farm animals and wondering if they are up and around prancing among the daffs in my little fantasy..oops, piece of heaven...and I too live just to get up and feed them every morning, I live with fairies too, did you know that..

I seriously doubt that MISS R.Hoffman will care a toss about what we think or feel about her, if you were making money writing a book would you?..I don't care one way or the other to be honest with you, I won't be buying the book anyway.

Hugs to all those I know care about me.. Jan

Yeah I have Diamondback Terrapins myself. Got back into raising them shortly after my diagnosis. They look like the picture below. I wasn't aware you lived with fairies, since you shared I must admit to having a leprechaun in my backyard that I talk to daily. Little shit leaves these gold coins everywhere and I keep telling him they are ruining my lawn mower.

Just a rich woman using her contacts to ride her infection to a really fat paycheck. I'd be impressed if all the proceeds were going to an AIDS organization, but they aren't, so who really stands to benefit from this book? I also believe that her shilling her book, in a HIV blog no less, is just crass commercialism.

I know a bit about the book publishing business and even when it was in better shape than it is now, only people who have bona fide bestsellers ever make any real money from books. And the fact is that the state of book publishing right now is probably worse than it's ever been. My point is, I sincerely doubt that Ms. Hofmann's motivation here is to make money. And if she ends up making money anyway, then more power to her.

Personally, I am disappointed that she is the face of HIV that POZ Magazine presents, as she does not even remotely resemble the true face of HIV, as most of us know. It smacks to me of just another opportunist making a buck on the back of pozzies. I really expected better. I really did.

I couldn't agree with you more, Joe.

Hugs to all those I know care about me..

Hugs to you, Jan...always.

Now there's a REAL woman, who's fighting the stigma of AIDS, helping her community, and living life to the fullest -- our Jan

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"Remember my sentimental friend that a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." - The Wizard of Oz

Ok--I'm not a basher by nature and far be it from me to bash another pozzie just for being HIV positive--that's not what the following comments are about:

I've read Poz for years, and frankly I've really grown tired of hearing how rough the Divas have it. In my opinion from reading her articles, I would call Ms. Hoffman a Diva. The world of HIV does not rise and set in NYC and CA. Very rarely do we hear the life stories and ongoing issues faced by the vast majority of HIV positive men and women who have to deal with public health care. Sure there will be a snipet here and there in Poz about some guy from Chicago or a woman in Atlanta, but as far as ongoing story telling and opinion from those of us in the non-diva hinterland, Poz falls flat.

Maybe its because I live in Detroit where we don't have time, money or the desire to require our 'out' HIV positive people to be divas. We don't get sabbaticals. We seldom have to schedule our meds and support group meetings (if we still have funding for one) around the latest art opening. We don't feel the hassle of having to have a 'team' of physicians and care providers fawn over us. We don't have to deal with thepressure of an impending writers deadline so we can get our views out in time for public consumption of what it is 'really' like to live with HIV. We don't get invited to speak to and with power brookers and policy makers.

Instead, we:

-Get our meds as long as ADAP holds out.-See the doc as long as Ryan White is funded-Wait 2 months to see specialists-Have difficulty getting transportation to the pharmacy or care center-Have most of our supportive services now deamed non-'core services' defunded by Ryan White-Work as long and as hard as we can, because we have to get rid of everything to go on disability-Try to influence policy but very often or conversations are with secretaries or legislative aides at the local level because NO big and well funded group pays our way to DC to talk and meet with the real power people.

Spare me please the Ms. Hoffman's of the HIV world.

This current issue of Poz is a great example of what I'm talking about. I realize she's the publisher, but is Poz now, "All Regan, All the time" now?

2) The Tales of Hofmann by Regan Hofmann Three and a half years after publicly disclosing her HIV-positive status on the cover of this magazine, POZ editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann reveals deeper insights into her life as a journalist, an advocate for positive people—and a woman living openly with the virus. Here, an excerpt from her memoir, I Have Something to Tell You.

3) Fighting for Our Freedom by Regan Hofmann POZ editor-in-chief Regan Hofmann sat down with Hanssens to discuss the issue of the criminalization of HIV transmission.

If you're referring to the fact that RH wrote (or co-wrote) two of the articles in the "features" section and the third was an excerpt from the new book, it's very possible that POZ is suffering financially, as most other publications are nowadays and they may be down to a bare-bones staff. And as for the serialization of the book, this is very common for a magazine to do a first serial of a recently published book, I don't see anything wrong with this, everyone does these kinds of promotion, give the woman a beak.

You only cite the features section, there are three other sections that comprise the issue, with a variety of articles in each, including one about "A new campaign (that) challenges the media to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in black communities" as well as one about access to condoms in black communities and other pieces about HIV health-related topics (erectile dysfunction, women undergoing menopause, etc).

Is there room for improvement with POZ magazine? Maybe. This doesn't justify the kinds of personal attacks she's getting from some in this thread. I don't know her personally and I have no stake in her book, financially or otherwise. All I know is that after finding out I had HIV, as I was doing a voluminous amount of research on the topic, I came across a few articles by and about her and I thought, "this is a compassionate, intelligent woman, I'm glad she's doing what she's doing."

If you're referring to the fact that RH wrote two of the articles in the "features" section and the third was an excerpt from the new book, it's very possible that POZ is suffering financially, as most other publications are nowadays and they may be down to a bare-bones staff. And as for the serialization of the book, this is very common for a magazine to do a first serial of a recently published book, I don't see anything wrong with this, everyone does these kinds of promotion, give the woman a beak.

You only cite the features section, there are three other sections that comprise the issue, with a variety of articles in each, including one about "A new campaign (that) challenges the media to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in black communities" as well as one about access to condoms in black communities and other pieces about HIV health-related topics (erectile dysfunction, women undergoing menopause, etc).

Ok--so three articles in a magazine isn't a 'bit much' for you. ONLY the feature section??? Look at the graphics of the 'cover' on line--bang-bamm-bomm--3 in a row from the glorious Ms Hoffman speaker for all PWA's. As for "Everyone does these kinds of promotions"...really? Pimping Poz to shill for a book you wrote--NOT a diva-esque thing to do?

Look--I'm not hear to argue about wether Ms. Hoffman is a good person or not--my point is that I'm weary of hearing about her and her viewpoints alone as if they were more than just HER'S.

Poz has had a long history of being egocentric to the voice of the publisher and main writers--it is their perogative, but it is also very boring and only tells the tale from one point of view. HIV does not soley exist in Manhattan or LA--the rest of us in between need to have a consistent voice that speaks to and from our reality. Ms. Hoffman is not equipped to do this.

Maybe its time to restart a marxist leftist or at least very political HIV+/PLA "zine" type magazine.I know Didier Lestrade is totally put off by a similar situation in Paris - gay scene and Public HIV+ "spokespeople" divorced from living issues.That way we can have our trust fund pozzies in conversation with ADAP strugglers. etc etc.

I'm game

However, I'd insist there is NO global and NO local stereotype, or "face" of HIV+/AIDS.

All inclusive, and no B.S.

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“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

P.S.This forum is pretty cool as toward that end. Not too many here really argue there is a preferred voice / face for HIV+/AIDS. This is an interesting conversation, sparked by this person Hofmann's identity.

You know, there are plenty of people, maybe even in Detroit, who are HIV+, go to work, see their doctors easily enough, are not so poor, and live normal-ish lives - when or if they are not being discrimminated against for being HIV+.I know this doesn't represent the experience in the history of the epidemic, but sorry, it's part of the HIV+ "experience" today in 2009. You know, all over Europe for instance, the medical care part of the experience isn't so terribly precarious and difficult as many other places in the world.

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“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

I just reread some of my statements here and I think maybe I need to clarify some things. I respect Ms. Hoffman. I respect any PWA who is able to stay positive, healthy and be part of helping others (or even just helping themselves). I have also respected Sean Straub, Stephen Gendin and countless others who have had the courage to speak and write their truths so others would better understand.

But...

I think it is a VERY disempowering thing to follow some cult-of-personality defacto 'leadership' of who the 'official' voice of all PWA's is or are--there is NO all SINGLE encompassing voice. My problem with the trades like POZ is that they are too quick to create these pozzie-darlings who become defacto leaders.

I challenge Poz and other national PWA forums and entities such as NAPWA, NMAC and others to move away from the Diva creation model and begin to incorporate more representative voices from our experiential continuum. Ms. Hoffman is a GREAT representative of her OWN views and should NOT be seen as anything else. To this end, we need to hear from those struggling on ADAP or locked in waiting lists, those who live of trust funds, those going back to school and those helping partners die.

We need to have a way to communicate the wholeness of what it is to live and die with this disease in an honest, upfront and all encompassing way. Our diversity is what will help break the lack of risk perception among those still believing that HIV will never happen to them. Our diversity is what will begin to finally dent the armor of stigma because no longer will anyone be able to say it is only 'those people, who deserve it' who get HIV.

So Poz--if you're listening...the Diva thing is so 90's--lets move on and begin to show all of our colors and spots and them maybe or choir (made up of ALL of our voices) can sing with one voice to those who need to hear.

What does the "face" of AIDS look like these days anyways? I always thought it was a nondiscriminatory type thing. Isn't it one of those equal opportunity type diseases where we can all get it whether we are: rich or poor, black or white, pretty or ugly?

I always figured POZ magazine to have mainly a readership of positive folk. Why does it need to try and shatter any stigma? Why does POZ need to make us aware of those struggling with ADAP? It's readers are well aware of this already.